It could also show that she is all-seeing, all-hearing. This could be seen as being ever-watchful, ever protective of her realm and its people. Elizabeth I once stated "I see, but am silent" and in her "Golden Speech" before Parliament, near the end of her reign, confessed that England may have had better rulers, but never one who loved her people more. It was probably having the memories of both her father's and elder sister's matramonial trials always in her mind the reason she never married--as she once said that she was married to England, indicating her coronation ring.
I'm not quite sure of the significance of the snake--but the fact that it curls around her arm--rather like the serpent around a physician's caudecus, might not be as sinister a symbol as we might interpret it to be. Cindy Abel -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dawn Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:47 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] Looking for picture link Land of Oz wrote: > Yuck! What is the story behind the eyeballs and ears all over this > dress? The snake on her arm interesting, but what is the significance? > ~Denise B > http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/rainbowlarger.jpg > "Reason or Interest of State', or perhaps 'The Art of Government': 'She is represented in a garment of turquoise woven with eyes and ears to symbolise her jealous hold over her dominion, and her desire to have the eyes and ears of spies, the better to judge her own plans and foil those of others'. " -- Janet Arnold, _Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd_ The snake appears to have been a piece of jewelery, and is mentioned in the wardrobe accounts. It also appears in a portrait of an unknown lady dated after the Queen's death, Arnold surmises it was given away. Dawn _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
